Presby Press First Presbyterian Church 114 East Jefferson Street Ottawa, IL (815) Volume 43 No.

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1 Presby Press First Presbyterian Church 114 East Jefferson Street Ottawa, IL (815) Volume 43 No. 4 april 2019 our mission To be the loving Community of Jesus Christ that will WIN new followers of Christ to saving faith GROW All followers to deeper faith GO Into the world and demonstrate faith 150 th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION DINNER SUNDAY, APRIL 14, 2019 AFTER CHURCH SERVICES EVERYONE IS INVITED TO COME EAT, CELEBRATE, VISIT NO COST! NO DISH TO PASS! WE WILL DEDICATE A NEW MARBLE BENCH AT THE FRONT ENTRANCE AND A BEAUTIFUL HAND-MADE QUILT TO HANG IN THE SANCTUARY ENTRY

2 Pg. 2 From the Pastor s Desk: THANK YOU! Deeply grateful Overwhelming joy Utterly surprised Humbled Filled with wonder at God s goodness These are just a few of the thoughts and sentiments that fill my head and heart when I recall your loving surprise for me on my 60 th birthday. I don t know why I m ever surprised when you do these things to honor and love me, but I am! I should see them coming, given what and who I know you to be as the Loving Community of Jesus Christ. I am truly humbled by the way you have honored me as your pastor. Thank you to instigators like Lori Trollinger, Nathalie Schmidt, Gayle Schmitt and Julie Angus (if there are any names I missed, please insert them here because you surprised me so well, it escaped my notice who all was involved). Thank you to all the great FPC kids who paraded down the aisle, following Livie Trollinger, BIG balloon bouquets inhand with all my favorite chocolates in the anchor bags tied on. YUM! Thank you for the wonderful, fun, love-filled cards and messages. I am having so much fun reading and rereading them! Thank you for the many thoughtful gifts and hugs and smiles and kind words. Thank you for the big cake and the Happy Birthday serenades. I am continually filled with wonder and gratitude to God that I get to be your pastor, the one both Jesus and you trust to be your pastor-shepherd. I am humbled to have had the great privilege to serve among you for 20 years. Now, I find myself ready for the next season of stretching in ministry together with you as we seek to Follow Jesus in the years ahead. Indeed, I am more excited about ministry than I have been in 30 years as a pastor, and it s due in large part to who you are as the remarkable people I get to lead forward. You have treated me and my family over these 20 years with such loving generosity on so many levels. Pastor John W. Walker jwalker@ottawafirstpres.org Church Secretary Cindy Arjes fpcone@ottawafirstpres.org Treasurer Betty Angus Westminster Choir Director Lloyd Chapman Lloyd@udnet.net Organist Diane Chapman The Presby Press is published monthly by First Presbyterian Church 114 E. Jefferson St., Ottawa, IL Telephone THANK YOU! In the love of Christ, Pastor John Walker

3 Pg. 3 Our Elders are committed to serving. Jim Keely (Administration) Pete Trolinger (Administration) Mike Farrell (Deacon) Brian Smithmeyer (Discipleship) Lisa Mestelle (Discipleship) Gayle Schmidt (Fellowship & Outreach) Julie Angus (Fellowship & Outreach) Ron Koestler (Missions) Brad Angus (Trustee) Dan Mestelle (Trustee) Dan Duggan (Trustee) Brian Huebner (Worship) David Farrell (Worship) Diane Farrell (Clerk of Session) SABBATICAL 2019 REST RENEW AND FOLLOW JESUS Why is Sabbatical an important time for pastors? Because it allows them to physically rest from the busyness of being a pastor. It allows them creative and mental rejuvenation. It gives him/her the chance to be inspired again and brainstorm without the daily pressures of the task or challenge at hand. And, not only is Sabbatical a time for rest, but it also replenishes them. It can allow the pastor a time to read, study, and talk to other pastors, and to think and dream creatively in unstructured time. It helps avoid burnout and to be more effective leaders. Beginning this month, we will be embarking on a brand new season of Sabbatical! Pastor John has lots of things lined up that will allow him the ability to Rest, Renew his spirit, and of course, continue to Follow Jesus; while we, the church family, will do the same. We will be welcoming Jenny Suydam as our Sabbatical Pastor, as well as work and worship together with many exciting opportunities that the Sabbatical Renewal Team has prepared for us with the help of our committees, residing elders, and team members. We invite you to join us this month as we begin our summer of Sabbatical! It ll be a time of growth for us as a congregation with Pastor Jenny in the lead. It will equally be a time of growth and renewal for Pastor John as he begins his time away. We are looking forward to a fantastic summer at FPC! COMING UP IN APRIL: April 7 th Regular Sunday with Pastor John leading Service April 14 th Palm Sunday/150 th Anniversary Celebration April 21 st EASTER/Pastor John s Sabbatical Send-off/Community Meal April 28 th Pastor Jenny s First Day as Sabbatical Pastor

4 Pg. 4 MEET REV. JENNY SUYDAM SABBATICAL PASTOR! Grace and Peace be with you! As I write this, we are just about a month away from the beginning of the sabbatical. I am so excited to be a part of this chapter in the life of First Presbyterian Church. So as we begin this adventure together, let me introduce myself, and tell you a little bit about me. I grew up in Mason City, Iowa, and I am a life-long Presbyterian. I attended The University of Northern Iowa, wanting to be a music teacher. Through a long and winding road, I changed my major and graduated with a BA in the Study of World Religions, and a Music Minor. The University of Dubuque Theological Seminary was my next adventure, and I am so grateful for my time there. I developed deep friendships, and met my husband, Caleb, there my second year. Following graduation, I served as the Designated Temporary Supply Pastor for First Presbyterian Church in Greene, and Eden Presbyterian Church in Rudd, both in Iowa. After we were married in August 2013, Caleb received a call in Nevada, Iowa, and I was called as the Campus Minister in Ames, Iowa. I loved being a campus minister, and walking with students as they began college. I was able to plan, program, and pray for these students, and the group grew into a community that was full of love, support, and gave them an opportunity to explore their faith. Caleb and I moved to Streator in May of 2017, where he is currently serving as Pastor at Park Presbyterian Church. We love exploring and have enjoyed spending time hiking in the state parks in the area. In my leisure time, I enjoy photography, cross-stitching, reading, and watching movies. I love planning and leading worship, and having the opportunity to meet with God s children in all places. I am so excited to see what God will do with this congregation over the summer. Please know

5 Pg. 5 AOK SUNDAY IS MAY 5, 2019 As part of this year's sabbatical renewal we will once again celebrate Acts of Kindness (AOK) Sunday. This year's AOK Sunday will be on May 5th, For those of you new to this event, AOK Sunday is a time when we worship God thru service to our community. AOK Sunday will go like this. We will gather as the Church for a continental breakfast and a time of prayer between 7:45 and 9:00 am. We will then break out into service teams that will work on one of a handful of projects throughout the community. Signup sheets will be posted in the weeks leading up to May 5th, where you can choose the project you would like to participate in. Projects will include sorting books destined for Uganda, sorting the pantry and clothing closets at PADS, landscaping homes for Friendship Village, and a few other projects that are still being planned. We are planning projects for all age groups and physical abilities. All project teams will return to church by 11:45 for a time of communion followed by lunch together. Don t forger to wear your First Pres Crew T-shirts. More details about projects and project signups will be shared in the coming weeks. Please pray for AOK Sunday, and for our entire Sabbatical season. We look forward to worshiping together with you as we bless our community thru Acts of Kindness.

6 Pg. 6 FUN FACTS ABOUT SERVING A COMMUNITY MEAL Did you know that plates, napkins, cups are provided by F & O? Did you know that coffee is made in the morning to cover coffee hour and community meal? Did you know that there are seasonings, oil, etc. in the cabinet that can be used? Did you know that you can be reimbursed if a bill is submitted to Betty Angus? Did you know that July, August and December are available? Contact Gayle ( ) or Julie ( ) for information or to sign up to serve a community meal HOPE LIFE CENTER FUNDRAISER Come to the Hope Life Center Fundraiser at Starved Rock Lodge on Thursday, April 11. Hope Life Center in Sterling, IL recently opened a new location in Ottawa at the Riverside Women s Clinic. Their mission, Turning our culture from death to life, one woman and child at a time, can give women with an unwanted pregnancy an alternative to abortion as they receive gentle, non-pressured medical care. Susanne Gibbs invites you to join her for an evening of fellowship, food, and learning about an opportunity to show Christ s love in the Ottawa community. There is no cost to attend, but an opportunity to share financially will be provided for those desiring to do so. Please talk to Susanne Gibbs or call her at to learn more.

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8 Pg. 8 APRIL ANNOUNCEMENTS THANK YOU! Fellowship & Outreach would like to thank the wonderful person that organized the silverware drawers! FIRST PRES CREW T-SHIRTS FOR SALE We re selling First Pres Crew shirts for only $5. You can pick up a shirt in any size, ranging from 3T to 4XL. Imagine wearing them during A-OK Sunday, or when you re serving the Community Meal. What better way to represent our church to our community! Contact Lori Trolinger ( ) to get your shirts. IT S TIME FOR EASTER CANDY It s that time again! We are collecting candy for our annual Easter Egg Hunt. Anything tiny that will fit inside the Easter Eggs would be great! You can drop off the candy in the church office anytime between now and April 17 th. Our annual Easter Egg Hunt will be held after the worship service on Easter Sunday, April 21 st. EASTER BRUNCH Fellowship & Outreach will be serving the community meal on Easter Sunday. We are having Easter Brunch from 12pm-1pm. Please join us as we welcome the community to enjoy a meal together.

9 Pg. 9 LOVE, WIN, GROW, GO: SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE! Would you be willing to supply a meal for our Jr. High Youth Group (LOL4JC & Sr. High Group)? They meet on the 2nd and 4th Sundays from 5 pm to 7 pm, and they start each meeting with a meal to begin a time of fellowship before launching into their discussion and game time. Please contact Lori Trolinger ( ) or Lisa Smithmeyer ( ) if you would like to commit to preparing a meal for our LOL4JC kids Free Community Meals; 3rd Sunday of every month: LOOKING TO FILL August, September and December in Might God call you to work on the community meal project? On the third Sunday of each month volunteers are needed to do the following: Organize the meal (decide what to make, plan the purchase of food); cook the meal; visit with those eating; clean up. Who can help? Anyone, any age. Are you feeling like you and your friends can be the next ones? Contact Julie Angus ( )or Gayle Schmitt ( ) for more information and to sign up. Prayer Shawls: Our Prayer Shawl Ministry is still going strong. Do you know someone who could use a hug from God (who doesn t)? Please call us so that we may provide a Prayer Shawl for you to give that someone who needs God s hug. Jackie Bean Why not join a small group? At FPC small groups are important. Why? Because few experiences encourage and build our faith more than small groups. Small groups teach us how to better know, understand and apply God s word in daily life. They also become a place of good friendship and caring. Want to join a small group? It s easy! Just talk to Pastor John or one of the small group contacts listed bellow: Mike & Diane Farrell (Sun. PM): Carol Engberg/Women: John Walker (1 st Sun. PM monthly): (Thurs. PM, once a month) Jack & Sandy Finnegan (Thurs. AM): Jim Keely/Men (Sat. AM): Handy Food Receipts Please save your receipts and bring them to church. We can earn 1% of the receipts totals for our church! Boxes will be in Scott Hall and on the table by the church offices. If you have any questions please contact Gayle Schmitt ( ). Ottawa Community Food Basket: Donations for the Food Basket for the month of April is tomato products. Let s fill the barrels at the entrances to our sanctuary and share our gifts with the less fortunate in our community. Sunday Greeters needed: We need your smiling face to greet newcomers and "oldcomers" at the front door on Sunday mornings. This is a great way to contribute to the life of your church.

10 FOOD, FELLOWSHIP& FAMILY Pg. 10 LADIES NITE OUT Tuesday, April 2 6:00 p.m.at Cracker Barrell Contact Lynn Woltering at for information and reservations KUM JOIN US SUNDAY, April 7 at 11:00 a.m. IN THE SANCTUARY WE WILL MEET AT HALFTIME RESTAURANT FOLLOWING MEETING All are welcome! APRIL Rob McGrath 1 Sue Koestler 3 Mike Farrell 8 Diane Farrell 11 Brian Huebner 12 John Roark 13 Karla Armstrong 18 Caroline Schmidt 18 Tyler Angus 19 Brad Angus 20 Hannah Duggan 21 Danielle Ehret 23 Pete Trolinger 27 MAY Addilyn Woodyer 3 Lisa Mestelle 10 Sue Paul 10 Tucker Clemens 11 Steve West 13 Don Morehead 15 James Burkey 15 Byron Long 16 Jackie Stevenson 19 John Bean 23 Casey Clemens 25 Betsy Feagans 25

11 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Every Monday Every Tuesday Every Wed. Every Thurs. Every Saturday 6 pm-bell Choir in 7 pm Choir in the Scott Hall Library Every Sunday 8:45 am Prayer 9:00 a.m. Choir Practice 9:30 am WORSHIP 10:45 am Fellowship 10:45 am-zone, Jr. & Sr. High Sunday School, Adult Education Class 9:30 am Seniors Small Group Pg. 11 7:30 am Men s Small Group pm-ladies Nite Out Kum Join Us 14. PALM SUNDAY 150th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION LUNCH 5-7 pm LOL4JC pm Committee Meetings H 16. OLY 7 pm-session WE EK 7 pm Maundy GOOD Thursday FRIDAY Service EASTER SUNDAY HE IS RISEN! Sabbatical Begins (through Aug. 15) Pastor Jenny s First Sunday 5 PM-LOL4JC April

12 First Presbyterian Church 114 East Jefferson Street Ottawa, Illinois Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage Paid Ottawa, Illinois Return Service Requested EASTER RESURRECTION DAY SCHEDULE ON APRIL 21 9:30 am Easter Worship Service 10:45 am Children s Easter Egg Hunt Noon Easter Brunch AOK WILL BE ON SUNDAY, MAY 5th It will be a time when we worship God through service to our community. A continental breakfast and a time of prayer between 7:45 and 9:00 am. Look for more information, and sign up sheets, to be coming soon! Check out page 5 for more information * 150th Anniversary pg. 1 * From the Pastor s Desk pg. 2 * Sabbatical 2019 pg 3 * Meet Jenny Suydam pg 4 * From the Pastor s Desk cont. pg. 5 * Announcements pg. 6 * YMCA Annual Prayer Breakfast pg. 7 * Announcements. pg. 8 * Love, Grow, Go pg. 9 * Food, Fellowship, Family pg. 10 * Calendar pg. 11 * Highlights of the Month pg. 12 CELEBRATING 150 YEARS!